Hey gang. Just wanted to thank all of you who sent me kind wishes for getting through my recently business trip. For those who don't know, I was recently promoted to a technical trainer job which is going to require travel. I've received a salary increase and another week of vacation. That part is great! But I continue to worry about my ability to do this job.
I had a tough time with this business trip. Plane anxiety was much better than my trip to San Fran earlier this year, but then I had to deal with food and inquisitive (read: nosey) people. My coworker told them about my illness (gee, thanks) and then they all started asking me questions. That would have been fine (but embarrassing), but then they started to kinda give me a hard time about not being a meat eater on top of my medical restrictions. I thought "screw you!!!!" but had to sit there and suck it up. I think that part of this job is NOT for me. I don't care to rub elbows and schmooze. I'm a very down to earth, non-butt kissing kind of person. Anyway, I'm in a flare now that started with that trip... <heavy sigh....>
We'll see what happens...I'm going to give it another shot on the travel piece before I say "okay, sorry, I can't do this job - transfer me." If they want to be real jerks and push it (and me into another flare), I'm sure my doc would be happy to write me out on short term disability. I've pretty much decided to put myself first here. No job or money is worth these IC symptoms.
But I have to say I'm discouraged and upset about this. I'm 32 years old and just got my bachelors degree in spring of 2000. I was working towards the idea of getting a masters before IC hit. I decided to put grad school on hold, be safe and see what my IC did after a couple of years. I really want a CAREER, not just a job, you know? And I'm angry because if it weren't for IC, I'd have no problem doing grad school or this job. Well, I should correct myself - I think I can do grad school and have a career - just not business travel!
On the high side, my sweetie and I are starting to house shop. We're planning on moving out of the city, deep into the woods somewhere. My body and soul relaxes and becomes very happy at the thought of it. It will mean at least an hour commute to work (until I find another job, perhaps) but I think it will be worth it. Absolutely nothing makes me happier than being in nature, so moving to a cabin in the woods I'm certain will go a long way to helping my health/stress levels.
Welp, just rambling now. For those of you who read through this whole post, thanks for caring!
Love and hugs,
Melanie J.
[ May 26, 2001: Message edited by: MelanieJ ]
I had a tough time with this business trip. Plane anxiety was much better than my trip to San Fran earlier this year, but then I had to deal with food and inquisitive (read: nosey) people. My coworker told them about my illness (gee, thanks) and then they all started asking me questions. That would have been fine (but embarrassing), but then they started to kinda give me a hard time about not being a meat eater on top of my medical restrictions. I thought "screw you!!!!" but had to sit there and suck it up. I think that part of this job is NOT for me. I don't care to rub elbows and schmooze. I'm a very down to earth, non-butt kissing kind of person. Anyway, I'm in a flare now that started with that trip... <heavy sigh....>

We'll see what happens...I'm going to give it another shot on the travel piece before I say "okay, sorry, I can't do this job - transfer me." If they want to be real jerks and push it (and me into another flare), I'm sure my doc would be happy to write me out on short term disability. I've pretty much decided to put myself first here. No job or money is worth these IC symptoms.
But I have to say I'm discouraged and upset about this. I'm 32 years old and just got my bachelors degree in spring of 2000. I was working towards the idea of getting a masters before IC hit. I decided to put grad school on hold, be safe and see what my IC did after a couple of years. I really want a CAREER, not just a job, you know? And I'm angry because if it weren't for IC, I'd have no problem doing grad school or this job. Well, I should correct myself - I think I can do grad school and have a career - just not business travel!
On the high side, my sweetie and I are starting to house shop. We're planning on moving out of the city, deep into the woods somewhere. My body and soul relaxes and becomes very happy at the thought of it. It will mean at least an hour commute to work (until I find another job, perhaps) but I think it will be worth it. Absolutely nothing makes me happier than being in nature, so moving to a cabin in the woods I'm certain will go a long way to helping my health/stress levels.
Welp, just rambling now. For those of you who read through this whole post, thanks for caring!
Love and hugs,
Melanie J.
[ May 26, 2001: Message edited by: MelanieJ ]
Comment